Magnetic force devices, systems, and methods for resisting tissue collapse within the pharyngeal conduit
First Claim
1. An implant system comprisinga ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in a tissue region in a pharyngeal wall along a pharyngeal conduit, anda source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material to resist collapse of the tissue region.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices, systems and methods employ magnetic force to resist tissue collapse in targeted pharyngeal structures and individual anatomic components within the pharyngeal conduit during sleep.
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Citations
51 Claims
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1. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in a tissue region in a pharyngeal wall along a pharyngeal conduit, and a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material to resist collapse of the tissue region.
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2. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in one of a soft tissue region defining a portion of a pharyngeal conduit, a soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, and a source of magnetic force sized and configured for implanting in one of a tongue, an epiglottis, a soft palate/uvula, a vallecula, in another soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, in an opposite pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, to repel the ferromagnetic material and resist collapse of the soft tissue region.
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3. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the ferromagnetic material being sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, and a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.
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4. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tissue region in a pharyngeal wall along a pharyngeal conduit, and a source of magnetic force comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix can-ying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the source of magnetic force being sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material to resist collapse of the tissue region.
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5. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in one of a soft tissue region defining a portion of a pharyngeal conduit, a soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, and a source of magnetic force comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the source of magnetic force being sized and configured for implanting in one of a tongue, an epiglottis, a soft palate/uvula, a vallecula, in another soft tissue region in a pharyngeal wall, in an opposite pharyngeal wall, and combinations thereof, to repel the ferromagnetic material and resist collapse of the soft tissue region.
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6. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, and a source of magnetic force comprising at least two discrete sources of magnetism and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allowing flexure between the sources of magnetism, the source of magnetic force being sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.
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7. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, the ferromagnetic material being tethered to an anchoring structure implanted in the tongue, and a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.
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8. An implant system comprising
a ferromagnetic material sized and configured for implanting in a tongue, the ferromagnetic material being tethered to an anchoring structure adapted to be coupled to a hyoid bone, and a source of magnetic force sized and configured for placement to interact with the ferromagnetic material in the tongue.
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35. An implant device comprising
at least two discrete sources of magnetism, and a flexible polymer matrix carrying the at least two discrete sources of magnetism in a spaced apart relationship, the polymer matrix allow flexure between the sources of magnetism.
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44. An implant device comprising
at least one source of magnetism having a periphery, and a flexible polymer matrix including a protective material encapsulating the at least one source of magnetism, the flexible polymer matrix including an edge region extending beyond the periphery of the source of magnetism to allow flexure of the flexible polymer matrix relative to the source of magnetism.
Specification